Broncos Lose Center Dan Koppen to Knee Injury

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos center Dan Koppen is out for the season after tearing his left ACL on Sunday in 9-on-7 drills, less than six weeks after rejoining Denver following J.D. Walton’s setback in his comeback from ankle surgery.

Koppen, an 11-year veteran who played his first nine seasons with the Patriots, was caught in a pile early in the workout and was carted off the field and taken for an MRI, which revealed the season-ending injury.

Manny Ramirez, who took most of the snaps at center during Denver’s offseason practices, stepped in for Koppen, whose teams have gone 108-28 in games he has started.

Koppen’s injury is the latest setback to Peyton Manning’s patched-up pocket of protection.

Left guard Zane Beadles was the only starting lineman to come out of last season unscathed.